Hello to all the people who check out this forum. I have read so many of the discussions on this forum, and I decided to post some questions of my own. I know practically NOTHING about film school or getting into it.

Pretty much, I am a Mexican-American scholarship student at one of the top private schools in Los Angeles (I dont even know how i ended up there, lol). However, i have found myself quite unhappy and constrained to a society that alienates my artistic vision. Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone could help me out to determine what kind of things I should be doing to be able to get into film school. And maybe a list of film schools I could possibly apply to? My resume, i hope, is pretty good. And I started the film-makers club at our school. (if you need I can tell you more stuff) I also make projects on my own time and for myself (although i think that may be the reason my grades are slipping). I am now a Junior and i'm planning to attend a film program over the summer for at least a month.

What do you guys think my chances are of ever getting into any film schools? I'm currently working on 2 projects (1 for fun and the other is a 5-10 minute short to turn in for the summer program application). When i get those done, I'll try to show them to you since my skill in film is prolly the most important aspect.

Thank you very much in advance and I highly await your reponse!

THANKS!
Efren Hernandez

PS. if there any questions you need answered to to be able to thoroughly answer my question, i would be glad to answer.

Your chances sound very good! I'd look into NYU, USC and UCLA. Your academic background will hopefully give you the necessary ommph on that side of the application. Grades and SAT scores are important, but they don't need to be MIT quality. As long as you demonstrate good filmmaking potential with strong demo reel, you're in

Work on short films, try to assemble a ten minute demo reel.

Good luck!

Hey Titaniumdoughnut,

Thanks for your reply! Its very much apreciated! USC, NYU, and UCLA, eh? I'm applying to Tisch's summer program. I think that would be my number one choice for college to. It just seems like New York is the place for film, and all that. I'm glad to hear you dont need a perfet 4.0 or 2400 on the SAT, lol. I hope my filmmaking is good. Although, Im very poor, so my equipment isnt top of the line, but I work on the weekends and bought myself a nice little Digital 8 Handycam. (its what I use to film).

I'm always working on short films, so I should have a neat little demo-reel to showcase when college application time comes around.

Again, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE HELP!

Anyone else got any dirt? lol.

THANKS!
Efren Hernandez

Cool. Apparently nearly everyone who gets into the Tisch summer program and does well is accepted into Tisch. This is what I've heard, it's not official or anything.

Oh, that's very good to hear!

I just got an e-mail from the special Programs office at Tisch, from one of the Tisch guys looking to help me get into the summer program (he says he was in the same predicament as I am).

Thanks very much for your help Titanium Doughnut.

One more question. What kind of things do they like to see on a 10 minute demo-reel. I saw yours, pretty inspiring to say the least. You have good sound quality (something I lack very much of). Do you just use microphones? I'd like to know any info anyone has on making a good demo reel .

THANKS!
Efren Hernandez

One thing I can tell you is this: the demo reel can suck and somehow they will see the potential in it. I've seen some demo reels which got people in, and they were dreadful. They're not looking for polished perfection so much as potential, and a creative eye. So, don't worry about sound too much (mine was all dubbed, cause the mics were bad.) Just work on nice shots, good editing, good shot order, cool locations. Show them what you can do, and don't try what you can't do.